5 good reasons
Gardanne is an amazing town in every way. It’s got all kinds of faces, and it’s a safe bet that it won’t leave you indifferent.
Agricultural land, industrial land, mining land, land of innovation… Gardanne is a town of character, cultivating its traditions while remaining ambitious and forward-looking.
So whether you’re here for a day, a week, or a lifetime (who knows?), we’ve selected a few must-sees for you to discover Gardanne, the unsuspected.
A Sunday morning stroll through the Provencal market and its farmers’ square
The Gardanne market is THE place to be, where locals and tourists meet and share a lively, convivial village life. Local, regional and organic products, gadgets, clothes, the smell of roasting chicken and the excitement… It’s all there! It’s all there! Local produce, organic fruit and vegetables, the scent of olives and goat’s cheese, souvenir gifts…it’s all there! It’s all there!
Watch the sunset from Cativel hill
If you take the Montée du Castrum, you’ll arrive at the high, fortified part of the Old Village, the highest point of the old village: the Cativel hill. On this hill, three windmills stand proudly, the very first of which, built in the 15th century, has become the village’s emblem since its restoration in the 2000s. One of these has dominated the north side since 1478. These mills are typical of a farming village and stand in a pleasant undergrowth setting. These three mills can be discovered via a shady walk under the pine trees, from which you can enjoy a 360° view of the surrounding area.
Take a stroll along the Luynes River for a break, a pause in time… to the rhythm of the water.
From Mimet, through Gardanne and on to Aix-en-Provence, the Luynes river flows for 19 kms. In Gardanne, it flows through the heart of the Domaine de Valabre and past some of the town’s most emblematic heritage sites: the Pavillon des quatre tours, the Château de Valabre, the Mur de Gueydan, the Lycée agricole and the Écomusée de la forêt.
Visit the Bossy Tilery and meet passionate craftspeople!
A former tile factory nestled in a green valley near the town center, the Tuilerie Bossy brings together fifteen craft workshops. Come and meet them, visit their workshops, discover their techniques and creations, and immerse yourself in their artistic universe, as close as possible to their know-how… And all this with free access!
Discover its history and unique industrial heritage
The town of Gardanne has developed strongly thanks to industrial activity: coal mines, aluminum plants and thermal power stations. Industries that have left their mark on the landscape but also, and above all, on the lives of the Gardannais, most of whom have worked in them for generations. To help you discover the unique history linked to these activities, the tourist office offers dedicated guided tours, accompanied by the association of former miners and employees of the Alteo plant.
Bonus: Meet nice people… VERY nice!
That’s the magic of Gardanne. It’s a city without artifice, friendly and authentic. Popular, with a mix of locals, local residents and those who come from afar, tourists, regulars, the curious, the young and the not-so-young. Gardanne is a family in its finest definition.
